GNU Taler[1] is an interesting middle-ground in the payments space: privacy-preserving for consumers, non-blockchain digital cash, and keeps merchant activity t

GNU Taler[1] is an interesting middle-ground in the payments space: privacy-preserving for consumers, non-blockchain digital cash, and keeps merchant activity taxable. I do worry about their whitepaper recommending it for a CBDC[2] (linked from [3]) which points out the state can implement negative interest rates, and that its architecture requires the issuer to get involved even in "spot your friend a $20"-level use cases. Since the issuer would presumably be required to KYC everyone, that also creates a big surveillance problem. [1]: https://www.taler.net/en/index.html https://www.taler.net/en/index.html [2]: https://www.snb.ch/public/asset/de/www-snb-ch/publications/research/working-papers/2021/working_paper_2021_03/publications0/working_paper_2021_03.n.pdf https://www.snb.ch/public/asset/de/www-snb-ch/publications/r... [3]: https://www.taler-systems.com/en/digital-currency.html https://www.taler-systems.com/en/digital-currency.html